Method and apparatus for permitting a potential viewer to view a desired program

ABSTRACT

A method and system prevents a potential viewer, such as a child, from viewing programming under certain conditions. For example, a programming receiver may be set up to prevent a child from viewing programming having a rating outside of an authorized rating limit, and/or from viewing programming during certain time periods, and/or from viewing any and all programming. When the child wishes to view a desired program, and the programming receiver determines that viewing is not permitted, the child is asked if they wish to seek permission from their parent or guardian to view the desired program. If so, an electronic request is made to a communication device, associated with the parent or guardian, such as a computer, personal digital assistant, cellular phone, or another television. The Request provides the parent with information regarding the desired program, and perhaps the identity of the requester. Hence, the parent can grant or deny permission to view the desired programming, from a remote location.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a remote control method for permitting a potential viewer to view a desired broadcasting program, such as in connection with a digital television receiver. More particularly, the present invention provides a remote control method, which allows an authorized person to permit a potential viewer to view a desired program. The authorized person can provide permission to the potential viewer via an input on a cellular phone, personal digital assistant, laptop computer, desktop computer, or other communication device.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Modern entertainment has progressed rapidly. Today, a large variety of programming is available by through-the-air broadcasting, cable systems, satellite systems and even programming over the Internet. Advances in encoding and compression methods, such as digital broadcasting, enable additional descriptive materials to accompany programming, such as a program's start and stop times, title, genre, actors/actresses, plot summary, and parental guidance rating.

[0005] Today, several television manufacturers and set-top receiver box manufacturers (e.g. satellite and cable) provide lockout options, which a parent can activate to prevent children from viewing adult related materials. When activated, a program, having a parental rating outside of a set limit or no rating, cannot be viewed. An adult can override the lock by entering a password into a control unit of the television or set-top box, most often using keystrokes on a remote control.

[0006] Often children desire to view, and have a legitimate reason to view, programs having a rating outside of the rating limit. For example, many educational programs are “not rated” and can trigger the lockout protection of the control unit. Further, a parent will often set the parental lock at “R” or “PG-13,” and still find some specific programs, having such a rating, suitable for their child. For example, an “R” rating may be due to violence portrayed in a true-story war movie. Despite the “R” rating, a parent may feel that the violence in the movie will not be harmful to their child. Under such circumstances, the parent may elect to input their password, override the control unit, and permit their child to view the movie.

[0007] The above-described system suffers drawbacks. Often a parent is not available to input a password to the control unit to allow a child to view a “suitable,” but restricted program. For example, the parent may be at work or traveling. A child could call and ask the parent for the password, but this would not be a suitable solution. The child might use the password to view other or additional programming besides the program described to, and authorized by, the parent. Further, the parent would later need to change the password after it is given to the child.

[0008] The above-described system also suffers another drawback. Children have a tendency to view too much programming and to view programming at inappropriate times, even if the programming has a rating within an authorized range. For example, some children have a television or Internet-linked computer in their bedroom, when the parents are away from home, working in another portion of the house or asleep, the children may be watching programming when they should be studying, doing chores, sleeping, etc. The system in accordance with the background art does not address this concern, in that it provides no limit on a child's viewing of programming within the restriction rating range.

[0009] Therefore, there is a need in the art for a remote control system, which permits a parent, not physically present with a child, to restrict a child's viewing of programs, which system yet enables the absent parent to permit the child to view a desired program, which is beneficial to the child, when the child requests permission.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] It is an object of the present invention to address one or more of the drawback associated with the background art.

[0011] It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for permitting a potential viewer to view a desired program, when viewing the desired program would be otherwise restricted.

[0012] These and other objects are achieved by a method and system which can prevent a potential viewer, such as a child, from viewing programming under certain conditions. For example, a programming receiver may be set up to prevent a child from viewing programming having a rating outside of an authorized rating limit, and/or from viewing programming during certain time periods, and/or from viewing any and all programming. When the child wishes to view a desired program, and the iprogramming receiver determines that viewing is not permitted, the child is asked if they wish to seek permission from their parent or guardian to view the desired program. If so, an electronic request is made to a communication device, associated with the parent or guardian, such as a computer, personal digital assistant, cellular phone, or another television. The Request provides the parent with information regarding the desired program, and perhaps the identity of the requester. Hence, the parent can grant or deny permission to view the desired programming, from a remote location.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The above objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0014]FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a system using a remote control method for permitting a viewer to view a desired program, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0015]FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating steps of the remote control method for permitting the viewer to view a desired program, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0016]FIGS. 3a to 3 c show examples of messages displayed to a person desiring to watch a restricted program;

[0017]FIG. 4 shows an example of a message displayed on a communication device of an authorized person who can grant permission to the person desiring to view a program;

[0018]FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating steps of the remote control method for permitting the viewer to view a desired program, in accordance with a first alternative embodiment of the present invention; and

[0019]FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating steps of the remote control method for permitting the viewer to view a desired program, in accordance with a second alternative embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0020] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, same drawing reference numerals are used for the same elements even in different drawings.

[0021]FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a system using a remote control method for permitting a person to request permission to view a desired program, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The desired program could be a movie, documentary, or any other type of program broadcast over a satellite system, a cable system, an over-the-air broadcast, an Internet broadcast, or any other form of broadcasting a program.

[0022] Referring to FIG. 1, in one embodiment, the system includes a programming receiver 100 (e.g. an integrated digital TV receiver, a set-top receiver box) having a modem 170. A communication device 190 is provided at a location remote from the programming receiver 100. An authorized person (e.g. a parent, grandparent, guardian, etc.) operates the communication device 190.

[0023] A connection is established between the communication device 190 and the receiver 100. The connection can be wired or wireless. For example, if the communication device is provided within a single family home, the connection could be a 2.4 Ghz wireless connection, a coaxial cable connection, a phone line connection, etc.

[0024] If the communication device 190 is located at a greater distance from the receiver 100, the connection may be again be wireless or wired. For example, if the communication device 190 is a desktop or laptop computer at a parent's place of work, a cellular phone, or a personal digital assistant (PDA), the connection could be established over a network 180, such as a wireless cellular network, a public switched telephone network, or the Internet.

[0025] Still referring to FIG. 1, the programming receiver 100 may additionally include a CH section 130 (for selecting a desired program to view), an MPEG decoder 120, a demultiplexer/control unit 140, a ROM 150, and RAMs 160 and 110. The demultiplexer/control unit 140 may be advantageously formed as a microprocessor.

[0026] In digital broadcasting, a plurality of element streams are multiplexed and transmitted through a plurality of transmission media and networks. The plurality of element streams compose one service, the plurality of services compose one transport stream, and the transport stream is transmitted to a respective digital television receiver through the plurality of networks. The digital television receiver in a particular house can search and receive a desired program of a viewer from among the transmitted streams.

[0027] Special, supplemental information is often transmitted to the digital television receiver in addition to the aforementioned streams. The supplemental information gives program guidance information on programs available for viewing, e.g. a rating of the program, a duration of the program, a start time of the program, a title of the program, and a summary description of the program. European DVB standards and American ATSC standards exist for the program guidance information.

[0028] The European DVB standards include a plurality of service information tables. Among the service information tables, an event information table provides information on each broadcasting program called events. The event information table includes information such as titles, start times and broadcasting periods of each broadcasting program. The digital television receiver outputs the transmitted information on the screen in an electronic program guide form.

[0029] The aforementioned service information tables also include various detailed information by using descriptor fields. Among the descriptor fields, a parental rating descriptor (X, R, PG-13, PG, G, N/R, etc.) can used to set up a parental lock, at the discretion of the parents or guardians. The age limits are dependent upon the contents of the broadcasting programs and the broadcasting countries. Accordingly, the parental rating descriptor displays country ID codes and age limits. The parental rating descriptor is included in the event information table and transmitted to each programming receiver 100.

[0030] Most digital television receivers allow a parent or guardian to set up a viewing restriction of a receiver using menu screens. The receiver analyzes the parental rating from the event information table for the transmitted broadcasting program. When the rating from the parental rating is lower than the predetermined viewing restriction rating, the receiver displays the broadcasting program on the screen. However, when the rating, extracted from the supplemental information, is higher than the predetermined viewing restriction rating, the receiver displays a message notifying the potential viewer that they are not permitted to view the broadcasting program. The receiver will not permit the program to be displayed on the screen, unless a parent or guardian inputs a password and overrides the protection system.

[0031] In the conventional programming control method, when the parent or guardian has at least two children, it is difficult to set the viewing restriction rating, since one child may be old/mature enough to watch programming not suitable for the other child. Therefore, when the parents go out, they cannot permit their children to view a program over the predetermined viewing restriction grade of the youngest child. To address this, the present invention provides a remote control method for permitting a potential viewer to view a program over the predetermined viewing restriction grade, previously stored the programming receiver 100.

[0032]FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing sequential steps of the remote control method for permitting a potential viewer to view a desired program, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In step 200, the potential viewer selects a desired program. A rating of the selected program is extracted from the parental rating descriptor field of the event information table, and in step 210, the rating of the selected program is compared with a viewing rating restriction, preset by the parent or guardian, which is stored in the ROM 150 of the programming receiver 100.

[0033] If the rating of the selected program is lower than the predetermined viewing restriction rating in step 210, the process proceeds to step 295. In step 295, the programming receiver 100 outputs the selected program to the screen (of the TV or computer, as the case may be), so that the a viewer can view it.

[0034] If the rating of the selected program is higher than the predetermined viewing restriction rating in step 210, the process proceeds to step 220. In step 220, the programming receiver 100 displays a message (e.g. via the screen of the TV or computer monitor) asking the potential viewer to request permission from the parent or guardian to view the desired program. An example of such as a prompt is illustrated in FIG. 3a.

[0035] If the potential viewer answers “no,” the method proceeds to step 285. In step 285, the programming receiver 00 may display a message notifying the potential viewer that the request has not been made and that the program is not viewable due to its restriction rating. An example of such a display screen is illustrated in FIG. 3c. After step 285, the process ends. For example, the potential viewer is returned to a selection menu or program guide display.

[0036] If the potential viewer answers “yes,” in step 220, the method proceeds to step 230. In step 230, the programming receiver 100 allows the potential viewer to input his/her ID as identification information and a password. It should be appreciated that in households with multiple children, each child could have a unique ID and password, such that each child could have a unique ratings limit for viewing programming.

[0037] Next, in step 240, the programming receiver 100 reads the program information, relating to the desired program, from the event information table. In step 250, the program information corresponding to the desired program, along with the potential viewer's ID and password are transmitted to the communication device 190 of the parent or guardian, such as by employing the modem 170.

[0038] It should be appreciated that the ID and password of the potential viewer could be verified either in the programming receiver 100 or the communication device 190. In one embodiment, the verification takes place in the programming receiver 100, and the potential viewer is notified via the screen if the input password does not match the input ID. Under such a circumstance, a permission request is not sent to the communication device, but rather the potential viewer is prompted to input their ID and password again.

[0039] It would also be possible to verify the ID and password at the communication device 190. Under this circumstance, it is possible for the parent or guardian to see if a child is attempting to “break into” the system and view a restricted program by submitting multiple, “possible” passwords for an older sibling's ID.

[0040] In step 260, the program information and ID are displayed on the communication device 190. It is envisioned that the communication device 190 could be a cellular telephone, a computer (either a portable or desktop at home or work), a personal digital assistant, or even another television (such as a television located in the parent's bedroom). When another television, within the same home as the child, is employed as the communication device 190, it is advantageous that the network 180, established between the communication device 190 and the programming receiver 100, is a local area network, such as a wireless 2.4 Ghz network, or a wired network (employing coaxial cable, phone lines, fiber optic lines, etc). When the communication device 190 is connected to the programming receiver 100 via the Internet, it is advantageous to send communications between the two as emails.

[0041]FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of the display on the communication device 190. In FIG. 4, the potential viewer's ID is displayed in the “audience” field as “01.” The parent would know that “01” stands for a particular one of their children, e.g. the oldest child. Of course, the actual name of the child could be displayed, instead of“01.”

[0042] As seen in FIG. 4, the program information includes such data as the title of the program, rating of the program, genre, country of origin, production date, running time, director, actor/actresses, and a summary of the program's content. The screen also provides an option to grant or deny permission for viewing of the desired program. It is in accordance with the present invention that the communication device 190 would prompt the parent or guardian to input an authorized person's user ID and password, to make certain that it is indeed a parent or guardian (not a mischievous child) that is granting permission to view the desired program.

[0043] In step 270, the parent or guardian selects either to grant or to deny viewing permission. In step 280, the communication device 190 transmits the answer inputted by the parent or guardian to the programming receiver 100 via the network 180.

[0044] In step 290, the programming receiver 100, which receives the answer from the communication device 190 of the parent or guardian, analyzes the answer to determine whether or not viewing of the desired program is permitted. If viewing of the desired program is not permitted, the method proceeds to step 285, and the screen of the potential viewer displays a message, e.g. FIG. 3c.

[0045] If viewing is permitted, the method proceeds to step 295. In step 295, the programming receiver 100 outputs the desired program, such as by using the MPEG decoder 120.

[0046]FIG. 5 illustrates a first alternative method of operation for the present invention. The method of FIG. 5 is analogous to the method of FIG. 2, except that the method step 210 has been removed. In the method of FIG. 5, the child must request permission for each program to be viewed, regardless of its rating. In other words, the method of FIG. 5 is beneficial to parents concerned that their children watch too much programming while the parents are absent.

[0047] In FIG. 5, a child desiring to watch a program would activate the programming receiver 100 (e.g. cable set-top box, satellite set-top box, etc.) to start the method. In step 200, the display (e.g. television screen, computer monitor, etc.) would display a program guide, and the child would select a desired program to view. Next, the method would proceed directly to step 220.

[0048] In step 220, the potential viewer would be asked if they wish to request permission to view the desired program. The remainder of the method follows the description, as set forth in combination with FIG. 2, above.

[0049]FIG. 6 illustrates a second alternative method of operation for the present invention. The method of FIG. 6 is analogous to the method of FIG. 2, except that the method step 205 has been added prior to the method step 210. In the method of FIG. 6, the child must request permission for each program to be viewed, regardless of its rating, when the current time is outside of a permitting viewing time. In other words, the method of FIG. 6 is beneficial to parents concerned that their children watch programming at inappropriate times (e.g. during study times or sleeping times) while the parents are absent.

[0050] In FIG. 6, a child desiring to watch a program would activate the programming receiver 100 (e.g. cable set-top box, satellite set-top box, etc.) to start the method. In step 200, the display (e.g. television screen, computer monitor, etc.) would display a program guide, and the child would select a desired program to view. Next, the method would proceed to step 205.

[0051] In step 205, the current time is compared to a preset authorized range of viewing times. If the current time is outside the authorized range of viewing times, the method skips step 210 and proceeds directly to step 220. If the current time is within the authorized range of viewing times, the method proceeds to the step 210, where a rating of the desired program is compared to the authorized rating range.

[0052] By the method of FIG. 6, it is possible to prevent a child from viewing a program when the current time is outside of a preset time interval. Of course, the comparison in method step 205 could be modified in several ways. For example, instead of comparing the present time to the authorized range of viewing times, the method could compare the start and stop times of the programming to the authorized range of viewing times. In this manner, the child must request permission to view a program, which ends after the expiration of their authorized viewing time range.

[0053] Further, the current time could be used as interrupt signal to the control unit 140. Under this control method, the current time is read by the control unit 140 at set intervals, e.g. once each minute. When the current time falls outside of the authorized viewing time range, the programming receiver 100 causes the display of FIG. 3a to appear on the screen.

[0054] By this arrangement, the child is allowed to view a desired program, having an acceptable rating, up until a certain time interval before expiry of their authorized viewing time range expires (e.g. 15 minutes). After that, the child must decide whether to request permission to continue viewing the program or to not request permission (step 220). The screen of FIG. 3a, could be a translucent overlay screen which permits the child to continue watching the programming while the permission request is displayed on the screen.

[0055] The fifteen minute interval allows time for the permission request to be processed (steps 240, 250), and to wait for the permission information from the communication device 190 (steps 260, 270, 280). If the child does not request permission to continue viewing the program, or if the parent fails to grant permission to continue viewing of the program, the programming receiver 100, stops outputting the desired program at expiry of the authorized viewing time range, and a screen, such as FIG. 3c, is displayed to the potential viewer.

[0056] While the invention has been shown and described with reference to a certain preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A control method for permitting-a viewer to view a desired program, the method comprising the steps of selecting a desired program; transmitting information concerning the desired program to a communication device of an authorized person; receiving information on whether to permit viewing of the desired program from the communication device; reading the transmitted information; and based upon the transmitted information, allowing or preventing viewing of the program.
 2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of: inputting a viewer's ID and a viewer's password associated with the person selecting the desired program
 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein, if the viewer's ID and viewer's password meet predetermined criteria, said transmitting step includes transmitting at least the viewer's ID to the communication device of the authorized person.
 4. The method according to claim 2, wherein said transmitting step includes transmitting the viewer's ID and viewer's password to the communication device of the authorized person.
 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the information concerning the desired program includes at least one of a rating of the desired program, a duration of the desired program, a start time of the desired program, a title of the desired program, and a summary description of the desired program.
 6. A control method for permitting a viewer to view a desired program, the method comprising the steps of: receiving information concerning a desired program to be viewed at a remote location; inputting an authorization or denial to view the desired program; and transmitting the authorization or denial to the remote location.
 7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising: inputting an authorized person's ID and authorized person's password, to verify the authorized person, prior to allowing said step of transmitting the authorization or denial to the remote location.
 8. The method according to claim 6, further comprising: receiving a viewer's ID information and a viewer's password from a person desiring to view the program; verifying the viewer's ID and viewer's password; and viewing at least the viewer's ID information at the remote location prior to inputting the authorization.
 9. The method according to claim 6, wherein the information concerning the desired program includes at least one of a rating of the desired program, a duration of the desired program, a start time of the desired program, a title of the desired program, and a summary description of the desired program.
 10. The method according to claim 6, wherein said step of inputting an authorization or denial to view the desired program occurs by initiating an input on a personal communication device.
 11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the personal communication device is at least one of a cellular phone, a personal digital assistant, a laptop computer, and a desktop computer.
 12. A control method for permitting a potential viewer to view a desired program, the method comprising the steps of: selecting a desired program; comparing a restriction rating of the desired program with an authorized rating range, wherein if the restriction rating of the desired program is outside of the authorized rating range, the following steps are performed: transmitting information concerning the desired program to a communication device of an authorized person; receiving information on whether to permit viewing of the desired program from the communication device; reading the transmitted information; and based upon the transmitted information, allowing or preventing viewing of the desired program.
 13. The method according to claim 12, wherein if the restriction rating of the desired program is within the authorized rating range, viewing of the desired program is allowed.
 14. The method according to claim 12, wherein the potential viewer is prompted to input a viewer's ID and viewer's password associated with the potential viewer selecting the desired program, when the restriction rating of the desired program is outside of the authorized rating range.
 15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the authorized rating range is a preset range associated with the potential viewer by the potential viewer's ID and password, such that different potential viewers can have different authorized rating ranges.
 16. The method according to claim 12, wherein the information concerning the desired program includes at least one of a rating of the desired program, a duration of the desired program, a start time of the desired program, a title of the desired program, and a summary description of the desired program.
 17. A control method for permitting a potential viewer to view a desired program, the method comprising the steps of: selecting a desired program to view; checking a present time, wherein if the present time is outside of an authorized viewing time range, the following steps are performed: transmitting information concerning the desired program to a communication device of an authorized person; receiving information on whether to permit viewing of the desired program from the communication device; reading the transmitted information; and based upon the transmitted information, allowing or preventing viewing of the program.
 18. The method according to claim 17, wherein if the present time is within the authorized viewing time range, viewing of the desired program is allowed.
 19. The method according to claim 17, wherein the potential person is prompted to input a viewer's ID and viewer's password associated with the potential viewer selecting the desired program, when the present time is outside of the authorized viewing time range.
 20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the authorized viewing time range is a preset range associated with the potential viewer by the potential viewer's ID and password, such that different potential viewers can have different authorized viewing time ranges.
 21. A program viewing controller comprising; a control unit; a program receiver connected to said control unit for receiving programs for viewing; a request transmitter connected to said control unit for transmitting request information concerning a desired program to a communication device, and an answer receiver connected to said control unit for receiving answer information from the communication device, wherein based upon said answer information said control unit permits or denies viewing of the desired program.
 22. The program viewing controller according to claim 21, wherein said control unit, said program receiver, said request transmitter and said answer receiver are integrated into one of a set-top tuner box for a television, a television and a computer.
 23. A communication device comprising; a control unit; a request receiver connected to said control unit for receiving information concerning a program desired to be viewed at a remote location; and an answer transmitter connected to said control unit for transmitting information from the communication device authorizing or denying viewing of the program at the remote location.
 24. The communication device according to claim 23, wherein said control unit, said program receiver, said request transmitter and said answer receiver are integrated into a personal communication device.
 25. A system comprising: a program viewing controller including: a first control unit; a program receiver connected to said first control unit for receiving programs for viewing, a request transmitter connected to said first control unit for transmitting information concerning a desired program to a communication device; and an answer receiver connected to said first control unit for receiving information from said communication device, wherein based upon said information said first control unit permits or denies viewing of the desired program; and a communication device including; a second control unit; a request receiver connected to said second control unit for receiving information concerning a program desired to be viewed at said program viewing controller; and an answer transmitter connected to said second control unit for transmitting information from the communication device authorizing or denying viewing of the program at said program viewing controller. 